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Unfortunately, the Old County Building, as it's called in Detroit, is now restored but empty. Wayne County moved its remaining offices to the nearby (and breathtakingly beautiful) Guardian Building a few years ago, and the place has been the subject of an ongoing legal dispute between the county and the developer to whom it was sold several years ago. In recent months a sign has been posted in front of the building that states "Historic building, for sale or lease."

During the early years of the automobile in America, right-hand drive cars were popular for those who had chauffeurs.

Having the driver on the right enabled the chauffeur to quickly get out of the vehicle and open the back door where they passengers would be seated. It would have also enabled someone who was driving his own car to get out on the curb without stepping into muddy streets and also into traffic. In many places it was illegal for the driver to get out of a car from the traffic side, in some places, this law lasted well on into the 1960s.

Interestingly, the habit of exiting on the curb side even from cars with left hand drive, and even in situations where it is perfectly safe to do otherwise can be seen in a number of films. "Psycho" for instance. In almost every scene where a driver exits the car, the do so by sliding across the seat to the passenger side.

It was a 5½-inch (140mm) cannon. Apparently there is a 140mm cannon at Fort Wayne, so maybe that's where it was taken after it was removed from this site. Several of the ten 140mm guns went to places like West Point and Annapolis, according to this page.

[Everyone's grabbing cannons off the Vizcaya, or melting down bits of the ship to make cannon covers! I had no idea of the connection when I posted the very next photo. What an odd coincidence. Which we never would have found out about if tterrace hadn't asked his question. - Dave]

In recent photos, not only is the cannon missing, but so are the rather large and detailed triumphal statues once mounted above the entrance pediment. I have yet to even see mention of that in any of my Detroit links. Many of the statues and the bell tower etc. from the old Detroit City Hall have been "stored" out in the elements for decades at Fort Wayne.

My curiosity was piqued by the cannon on the lawn. Was it connected with a significant battle, fort or warship (if it is a naval weapon)? Not there now, and the most recent photo showing it that I've found online is from the late 30s or early 40s. No other mentions that I've located, unlike the War of 1812 cannon formerly on the grounds of the old Detroit City Hall. Wonder if it was a victim of wartime scrap drives?

Shorpy.com | History in HD is a vintage photo blog featuring thousands of high-definition images from the 1850s to 1950s. The site is named after Shorpy Higginbotham, a teenage coal miner who lived 100 years ago.